News Flash

The Minnie Lee Davis Harris Recreation Center

Mrs. Minnie Lee Davis Harris began working for the Winston-Salem Recreation department in 1948. In 1950 Mrs. Harris became the first African American female Recreation Center Director in the department. She worked at Skyland Recreation Center for 20 years...

Instructions for Joining the May 28th Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board meeting starts at 4:30 PM – citizens who wish to participate are encouraged to start logging on to the meeting remotely at 4PM.

To comment on an agenda item virtually through the Zoom app, login to the meeting by clicking on th...

$470.6 Million Budget Proposed for 2020-2021

NEWS RELEASEBudget and Evaluation OfficeMay 21, 2020

City services to residents would remain at current levels, but the city would implement a variety of belt-tightening measures to close a $13.4 million shortfall driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, under the...

Collection Changes for Memorial Day Holiday

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionMay 20, 2020

City offices will be closed Monday, May 25, for the Memorial Day holiday. CityLink 311, the city’s citizen service call center, will not be staffed but non-911 emergency calls will be forwarded to on-ca...

Public Input Needed for Future Transportation Priorities

NEWS RELEASETransportationMay 11, 2020

Local transportation planners are holding online a meeting Thursday, May 20, as they continue their process of collecting public input for the update of the overall transportation plan for the Winston-Salem area over ...

No Rate Increase Next Year

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utility Commission will not raise water, sewer and solid waste rates in the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget, which begins July 1, 2020.

In an effort to ease customer concerns during the coronavirus pandemic, rates for WSFC Uti...

Mayor Joines’ Statement on the Death of Larry Womble

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMay 15, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines today released the following statement on the death of former board of alderman and state representative Larry Womble:

"On behalf of the citizens of Winston-Salem, I extend my deepest sympa...

City Council to Meet Online; Provisions Made for Public Comment Period

NEWS RELEASECity SecretaryMay 13, 2020

The May 18 meeting of the Winston-Salem City Council will be conducted online in order to comply with the social distancing recommendations for fighting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The meeting will begin at the ...

Comprehensive Food Resources Information Posted Online

NEWS RELEASEOperationsMay 12, 2020

The city’s Think Orange website, ThinkOrangeWS.com, has new, interactive maps listing food resources in Winston-Salem and throughout Forsyth County for residents impacted by COVID-19. The information is availabl...

Portions of Main and Cemetery Streets Closing for Water Pipe Replacement

NEWS RELEASETransportationMay 11, 2020

The block of Main Street between Brookstown Avenue and Cemetery Street, as well as the block of Cemetery Street between Main and Liberty streets, will be closed to through traffic starting today, to allow a contractor...

Public Feedback Requested

The Winston-Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is looking for your comments on amendments and updates to existing transportation improvement plans (Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program [MTIP] and the Public Participation Plan (...

Water Pipe Flushing Guidelines for Buildings Reopening for Business

As businesses around the area begin to reopen, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities urges owners and tenants of temporarily or partially closed buildings to ensure water is safe and odor free before resumption of normal water use.

Water may become stagna...

Mayor Pro Tempore Burke to Lie in State in City Hall

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMay 7, 2020 

Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian H. Burke will lie in state in the lobby of City Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 8, to allow city residents to pay their respects. The casket will be closed.

Visitors will ...

Statements on the Death of Council Member Burke

Members of the City Council and City Manager Lee Garrity made the following statements today on the death of Council Member Vivian H. Burke:

Council Member Dan Besse: “It was an honor to serve with Mayor Pro Tem Vivian H. Burke on the Winston-Sal...

Mayor Joines’ Statement on Council Member Vivian H. Burke

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMay 6, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines today released the following statement on the death of Council Member Vivian H. Burke, who died Tuesday evening:

"Council Member Vivian Burke was a remarkable woman who leaves a legacy of ac...

Portions of Liberty and Cemetery Streets Closing for Water Pipe Replacement

NEWS RELEASETransportationMay 4, 2020

The block of Liberty Street between First and Cemetery streets, as well as the block of Cemetery Street between Main and Liberty streets, will be closed to through traffic starting Tuesday, May 5, to allow a contractor...

Now’s the Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season

NEWS RELEASEEmergency ManagementMay 1, 2020

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Management is encouraging residents to plan now for hurricane season by updating their emergency plans and supply kits. Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs th...

City Edition - May 2020

Read the newest edition of City Edition, plus sign up to receive the next one in your inbox.

Inside this month’s edition:

• Winston-Salem Wins $30 Million Grant to Transform Cleveland Avenue Homes
• City Panel Awards 23 COVID-19 Response Fund Grants
• Joi...

Public Input Needed for Future Transportation Priorities

NEWS RELEASETransportation DivisionMay 1, 2020

Local transportation planners are in the process of updating the overall transportation plan for the Winston-Salem area over the next 25 years and are holding online meetings Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 &...

Joines Rescinds Stay-at-Home Order to Align Winston-Salem with State Order

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorApril 29, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines today rescinded his current stay-at-home order and its provisions in order to bring the city under the provisions of the statewide order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper. Cooper’s order is...

Free Leaf Mulch is Back!

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities has rescheduled the annual leaf mulch giveaway. Postponed due to stay-at-home orders, free leaf mulch will only be available while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday, May 16, 23 an...

Yard-Waste Collections To Resume May 4

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionApril 28, 2020

The city will resume yard-waste collections on Monday, May 4. Collections will be made Mondays through Thursdays in keeping with the regular collection schedule, for those households that have yard carts with c...

No Wipes in Pipes!

Toilet paper shortages have exposed the growing problem of wipes clogging our sewer system. As people run out of toilet tissue they may turn to other products. Unfortunately, “flushable” wipes are falsely labeled and are part of multip...

City Panel Awards 23 COVID-19 Response Fund Grants

NEWS RELEASECity Manager’s OfficeApril 27, 2020

Twenty-three local agencies and other non-profit groups were selected to receive grants from the city’s portion of the COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County.

The largest single grant, o...

Winston-Salem Wins $30 Million Grant to Transform Cleveland Avenue Homes

NEWS RELEASECommunity DevelopmentApril 23, 2020

Winston-Salem has been selected to receive a $30 million federal grant to transform the aging Cleveland Avenue Homes public housing neighborhood and the surrounding area under the Choice Neighborhoods Initiat...

City Committee To Review COVID-19 Fund Grant Requests April 24

NEWS RELEASECity SecretaryApril 20, 2020

The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee will hold a special online meeting Friday, April 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. to review applications and award grants from the city’s $1 million contribution to the...

Drink Up! Our Tap Water Surpasses Federal Requirements

Our local drinking water surpasses all safe water quality standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities 2019 Water Quality Report is available at cityofws.org/waterquality2019 or cityofws.org/wqr2...

Application Deadline for COVID-19 Response Fund Grants Is Thursday, April 16

NEWS RELEASECity Manager’s OfficeApril 15, 2020

Local agencies that want to apply for a grant from the COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County have until 5 p.m. Thursday, April 16, to submit their grant request. A link to the application portal...

City Council to Meet Online; Provisions Made for Public Comment Period

NEWS RELEASECity Secretary April 15, 2020

The April 20 meeting of the Winston-Salem City Council will be conducted online in order to comply with the social distancing recommendations for fighting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The meeting will begin at...

Portions of Brookstown Avenue and Main Street Closing for Sewer Replacement

NEWS RELEASETransportationApril 15, 2020

The block of Brookstown Avenue between Liberty and Main streets, as well as the block of Main Street south of Brookstown Avenue, will be closed to through traffic starting Monday, April 20, to allow a contractor to ...

“Virtual” Forsyth Creek Week Available Online April 13 - 19

NEWS RELEASEStormwater/Erosion ControlApril 9, 2020

The organizers of Forsyth Creek Week, which was canceled last month due to the coronavirus pandemic, are holding a "virtual" Creek Week from April 13 – 19 with videos and activities po...

City Council Committee Meetings Canceled

NEWS RELEASECity Secretary April 9, 2020

The April meetings of the City Council committees, scheduled for April 13 and 14, have been canceled. Critical action items will be considered by the full council at its meeting on April 20. Consideration of other i...

City Churches Urged to Ring Bells

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorApril 8, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines is urging churches and other faith-based institutions in the community to ring their bells at noon on Friday, April 10, and again at noon on Sunday, April 12, as a sign of solidarity in the fi...

City Seeking Comment on Draft Housing/Community Development Plan

NEWS RELEASECommunity DevelopmentApril 8, 2020

City officials are soliciting public feedback on their draft plan for using federal money to address the housing needs of low- and moderate-income residents, homeless residents and those with disabilities, as ...

City Response Fund Allocation To Have Oversight

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorApril 7, 2020

In response to recent concerns cited by citizens and members of the City Council, Mayor Allen Joines noted that no city money has been allocated yet by the COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County and that the ...

Mayor Joines Hosting Interfaith Hour of Prayer

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorApril 7, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines will host a non-denominational hour of prayer and inspiration featuring local faith leaders Friday, April 10, at 10 a.m. on the city of Winston-Salem YouTube channel.

Participants will include ...

Friday Garbage Collection Changed for Easter Holiday

City offices will be closed Friday, April 10, for the Easter holiday. CityLink, the city’s citizen service call center, will be staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to assist citizens and will be available outside of those hours for water, sewer and ot...

City Edition - April 2020

Read the newest edition of City Edition, plus sign up to receive the next one in your inbox.

Inside this month’s edition:

• COVID-19 NEWS
  • Stay-at-home Order in Effect
  • Bulky Item Collections Suspended
  • City Allocates 1 Million to Help Economic Victims of...

Electrical Work to Affect Cherry & Fourth Streets

NEWS RELEASETransportationApril 2, 2020

The block of Fourth Street between Cherry and Marshall streets will be closed Monday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to allow Duke Energy crews to pull electric cables through manholes. The work will also close a ...

City Council to Meet Online

NEWS RELEASECity SecretaryApril 1, 2020

The April 6 meeting of the Winston-Salem City Council will be conducted online in order to comply with the social distancing recommendations for fighting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The meeting will begin at th...

City Suspending Non-Essential Services

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsApril 1, 2020

Starting Monday, April 6, the city will suspend a variety of non-essential city services in response to the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. 

Under the...

Bulky Item Collections Suspended

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionMarch 30, 2020

The city has suspended its annual bulky item collection until further notice due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus. Suspending collections will ensure sufficient staffing for garbage collections and prevent c...

Fourth Street Closing for Construction Crane

NEWS RELEASETransportationMarch 27, 2020

The block of Fourth Street between Patterson Avenue and Chestnut Street will be closed for five days starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, to allow a crane to install glass on a building under construction. Work is...

Mayor Joines Issues Stay-at-Home Order

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsMarch 25, 2020

Effective Friday at 5 p.m., Mayor Joines is ordering all city residents to stay home in light of "a significant and increasing number of suspected cases of community transmission and likely furthe...

City Closing City Hall & Stuart Building to All but Essential Personnel

With the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus in Forsyth County, as of Wednesday the city is closing City Hall and the Stuart Municipal Building to most outside visitors and ordering all non-essential employees in those buildings to stay home. Employees...

Inspections Division Open for Business During COVID-19 Event

Dear Building Industry Partner:

Our WS/FC Inspections Division “IS” open for business. While there may be restrictions in how some of our services are performed, our goal is to maintain effective service levels and continue to offer you...

Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Certification Web Training Being Offered

NEWS RELEASEBusiness Inclusion & AdvancementMarch 20, 2020

Minority- and women-owned businesses can receive assistance certifying or re-certifying as historically underutilized businesses with the state of North Carolina through web-based training that...

City Allocating Up To $1 Million to Help Economic Victims of COVID-19

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMarch 18, 2020

The city will contribute up to $1 million to match contributions to the new COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County that community leaders announced today to support residents economically impacted by the COV...

Inspections Division Procedure Changes to Minimize the Threat of COVID-19

Walk-ins WILL NOT be accepted. 

Commercial and sign applications are only accepted through IDT (digital plan submittal).

Residential single family applications (new construction, alterations, and additions) can be submitted through email to a permi...

City Council Members in Self-Isolation

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsMarch 17, 2020

Six members of the Winston-Salem City Council and two city staff members are in self-isolation until March 26 on the advice of the Forsyth County public health director after learning this afternoon th...

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Coronavirus Response Plan

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities have implemented a response plan and will adjust to the situation as it evolves. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reassures customers ...

City Announces Further Steps to Address COVID-19 Threat

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsMarch 15, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines, Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian H. Burke and the members of the Winston-Salem City Council have approved additional measures to keep the community safe and ensure delivery of essential ser...

Mayor Joines Declares State of Emergency

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMarch 13, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines has declared a state of emergency in Winston-Salem as of 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, to better equip the city to fight the spread of COVID-19. 

The declaration notes that the Centers for...

City Activities and Events Canceled

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsMarch 13, 2020

In accordance with guidance from Mayor Allen Joines and City Manager Lee Garrity, the city is canceling all non-essential city-sponsored activities and events in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. E...

City Government Stepping up COVID-19 Measures

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMarch 12, 2020

With two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Forsyth County, Mayor Allen Joines announced that the city is taking additional measures to slow the spread of the disease within the community and within the city workfo...

Local Governance Study Commission Recommends 10-Member City Council With Two At-Large Seats

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMarch 12, 2020

The members of Winston-Salem Local Governance Study Commission voted yesterday to recommend that Winston-Salem change to a 10-member city council, with eight members elected by wards and two elected citywide by...

Mayor Seeks Applicants for Bicycle/Pedestrian/Active Mobility Advisory Committee

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMarch 10, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines is accepting applications from city residents interested in serving on the Bicycle/Pedestrian/Active Mobility Advisory Committee, a new advisory panel the City Council authorized in November ...

City Edition - March 2020

Read the newest edition of City Edition, plus sign up to receive the next one in your inbox.

Inside this month’s edition:

• Bulky Item Collection Begins March 2
• Information Sessions on Downtown Two-Way Street Conversions 
• Learn More about Cit...

SOAR Program Accepting Applications

NEWS RELEASEBusiness Inclusion and AdvancementMarch 5, 2020

The city is accepting applications for its Successful Outcomes After Release (SOAR) program through 11:59 p.m. March 25, 2020.

SOAR is a six-month program that provides gainful employment to former...

City Government Preparing in Case Coronavirus Impacts Winston-Salem

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorMarch 4, 2020

In light of the continued spread of the coronavirus, the city is taking steps to ensure that critical municipal operations continue to function if there is a serious outbreak in Winston-Salem, Mayor Allen Joines...

Tornado Drill March 4 Highlights Severe Weather Preparedness Week

NEWS RELEASEEmergency ManagementMarch 2, 2020

Emergency Management officials are encouraging residents to participate in the statewide tornado drill at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, to ensure that they are prepared for severe weather that may occur this sp...

Information Sessions Scheduled on Peacehaven and Polo Road Recommendations

NEWS RELEASETransportationFeb. 26, 2020

City transportation officials will hold separate information sessions March 4 and March 5 to allow residents to learn about recommendations for improvements to Peacehaven and Polo roads.

The Peacehaven Road informatio...

Information Meeting Rescheduled for Small Business Plan Competition

NEWS RELEASEOffice of Business Inclusion and AdvancementFeb. 26, 2020

The information meeting for the city’s 2020 Small Business Plan Competition has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 5, at 6 p.m. in the Committee Room (Room 239) of City Hall,...

Milling/Repaving Work Scheduled for Robinhood Road

NEWS RELEASEStreets DivisionFeb. 26, 2020

The portion of Robinhood Road between Buena Vista and Stratford roads is scheduled to be milled and repaved starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 2, weather permitting. Traffic along this portion will be controlled by f...

Winston-Salem Police Department Notice of Public Information Session and Telephone Comments

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), will arrive on March 2, 2020, to verify the Winston-Salem Police Department’s compliance with an international set of law enforcement s...

Bulky Item Collection Begins March 2

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionFeb. 24, 2020

The city’s annual bulky item pick-up begins March 2 and will run through Sept. 4. Collection crews will go through the city street by street, collecting bulky items that garbage crews cannot accept. Fu...

Bethania Station Road Closure Postponed

NEWS RELEASETransportationFeb. 21, 2020

The closure of Bethania Station Road, from Shattalon Drive to Tenney Lane, scheduled for next week has been postponed. The forecast for rain will prevent the contractor from repaving the street. A new closure plan wi...

Information Sessions Scheduled on Downtown Two-Way Street Conversions

City transportation officials will hold four drop-in information sessions starting Thursday, Feb. 27, on plans to convert First, Second, Liberty and Main streets downtown to two-way traffic.

Sessions will be held:

• Thursday, Feb. 27, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at the...

Utilities Department Celebrates Engineers

City of Winston-Salem social media accounts have featured profiles of engineers in the utilities department as part of Engineers Week. Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, this year EWeek is February 16-22. It is “d...

Meadowlark Drive Closing for Stormwater Pipe Repairs

NEWS RELEASETransportationFeb. 20, 2020

Meadowlark Drive, between Rosewind Lane and Hundley Road, will be closed to through traffic starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, to repair damage to a stormwater pipe. Work is scheduled to be completed and the road ...

Akron Drive Extension Update Session Postponed

NEWS RELEASETransportationFeb. 20, 2020

The drop-in session for the Akron Drive extension scheduled for tonight has been postponed due to the forecast for winter weather. A new date will be announced later. For more information call CityLink 311.

Human Relations Student Awards Banquet Postponed

NEWS RELEASEHuman RelationsFeb. 20, 2020

The Human Relations Student Awards Banquet scheduled for tonight has been postponed due to the forecast for snow this afternoon. A new date will be announced later. For more information call CityLink 311.

Planning Board Recommends Airport/Whitaker Park Plan

Since October 2019, four community meetings have been held by elected officials and planning staff with residents and business owners to produce the draft Smith Reynolds Airport/Whitaker Park Strategic Area Plan. This strategic plan provides approximately...

City Sponsoring Estimating & Bidding Seminar for M/WBE Businesses

NEWS RELEASEBusiness Inclusion & AdvancementFeb. 14, 2020 

"Estimating & Bidding 101," a free seminar to help minority- and women-owned businesses improve their bidding and estimating process, will be held Feb. 25 at the Enterpri...

Workforce Development Internship Program for High School Juniors & Seniors Announced

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorFeb. 13, 2020

As part of the comprehensive program to reduce poverty and promote workforce development and economic mobility, Mayor Allen Joines, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Angela Hairston, Winston-Sa...

Students to be Honored at 40th Annual Human Relations Student Awards Banquet

NEWS RELEASEHuman RelationsFeb. 13, 2020                                       &...

City Kicking Off Small Business Plan Competition; Information Meeting Set

NEWS RELEASEOffice of Business Inclusion and AdvancementFeb. 13, 2020

The city is holding its Small Business Plan Competition again in 2020 and will hold an information meeting Feb. 20 for entrepreneurs interested in participating. The meeting will be held...

African American Heritage Initiative Seeks Volunteers for Community Collection Teams

NEWS RELEASEHuman RelationsFeb. 10, 2020

The African American Heritage Initiative Committee is seeking city residents to serve on one or more of the nine “collection teams” it is organizing to capture the memories and recollections of A...

City Edition - February 2020

Read the newest edition of City Edition, plus sign up to receive the next one in your inbox.

Inside this month’s edition:

• City Observing Black History Month
• Fairgrounds Unveils Logo for Carolina Classic Fair
• Nominations Sought for Walk of Fame
• Regist...

Local Governance Study Commission Seeking Survey Responses

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorFeb. 5, 2020

The members of Winston-Salem Local Governance Study Commission are seeking more responses to their online survey on how the mayor and City Council members should be elected.

The survey has seven questions and seek...

City Observing Black History Month

NEWS RELEASEMarketing & CommunicationsJan. 30, 2020

The city is observing Black History Month in February with the annual Showcase of Song, the Public Safety Black History Month Celebration, special programs in city recreation centers, social media pos...

Police Holding "Pastors on Patrol" Training Thursday

NEWS RELEASEPolice DepartmentJan. 21, 2020

The Winston-Salem Police Department will hold a training session Thursday, Jan. 23, for religious leaders who want to participate in the "Pastors on Patrol" initiative. The training will be held from 11 ...

Local Governance Study Commission Holding Public Information/Input Sessions

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorJan. 17, 2020

The Winston-Salem Local Governance Study Commission is holding three public sessions at the end of January to brief city residents on the various ways the City Council could be restructured, and to collect publi...

"Young Dreamers" To Be Honored

NEWS RELEASEHuman RelationsJan. 17, 2020

The City Council and the Human Relations Commission will honor two city residents as the 2020 recipients of the Martin Luther King Jr. Young Dreamers Award at the City Council meeting Jan. 21.

The Young Dreamers Awar...

Fairgrounds Unveils Logo for Carolina Classic Fair

NEWS RELEASEFairgroundsJan. 17, 2020

The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds today unveiled the logo for the Carolina Classic Fair, to be held Oct. 2-11, 2020.

The logo uses a starburst pattern of light bars arrayed around an outline of North Carolina and the words C...

Collection Changes for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionJan. 15, 2020

City offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. CityLink 311, the city’s citizen service call center, will not be staffed but non-911 emergency calls will be forward...

Fairgrounds Hosting N.C. Archery & Junior Olympic Archery Development Championships

NEWS RELEASEFairgroundsJan. 9, 2020

Archers from throughout North Carolina will converge on the Fairgrounds Education Building on Saturday, Jan. 11, for the North Carolina 2020 USA Archery and Junior Olympic Archery Development championships. More than 100...

Police Accepting Applications for Citizens' Police Academy

NEWS RELEASEPolice DepartmentJan. 7, 2020

The Winston-Salem Police Department is accepting applications for the next Citizens' Police Academy, which will start April 30.

The Citizens’ Police Academy is a 13-week program that meets once a week to b...

Nominations Sought for Walk of Fame

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsJan. 7, 2020

Nominations are being accepted through Feb. 28 for the Winston-Salem’s Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Memorial Walk of Fame at the Benton Convention Center.

The Walk of Fame honors deceased Wi...

Mayor Joines Statement on Death of Former Council Member Wanda Merschel

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorJan. 4, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines issued the following statement today upon the death of former City Council Member Wanda Merschel:

"Wanda was a true public servant who loved this city. She leaves a lasting legacy that we w...

City Edition - January 2020

Read the newest edition of City Edition, plus sign up to receive the next one in your inbox.

Inside this month's edition:

• Local Governance Study Commission Holding Public Information/Input Sessions
• Learn More about City Recreation Opportunities at Open House...

Applicants Sought for Community Appearance Commission

NEWS RELEASECity SecretaryDec. 31, 2019

Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian H. Burke is accepting applications from citizens interested in filling a vacancy on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Community Appearance Commission.

Any citizen with an interest in the commis...

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

NEWS RELEASEVegetation ManagementDec. 30, 2019

The city will collect Christmas trees and put them to good use as mulch for its parks and roadsides.

Residents in single family homes inside the city limits can put their Christmas trees at the curb for pick-up...

Mayor Joines Statement on Lowery Street Shooting

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorDec. 20, 2019

Mayor Allen Joines today released the following statement about the shooting this morning at the Joycelyn V. Johnson Municipal Services Center:

"On behalf of the City Council, I want to express how deeply sa...

Some Friday Sanitation Collections To Be Delayed

Some Sanitation Division collections scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20, will be delayed. Residents should leave their carts out at the curb pending a make-up collection.

Police Inviting Religious Leaders to Learn About “Pastors on Patrol” Initiative

NEWS RELEASEPolice DepartmentDec. 19, 2019

The Winston-Salem Police Department is inviting pastors, ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and other religious leaders to attend an informational lunch Jan. 9 to learn about a new initiative called "Pastors o...

Collection Changes, CityLink Staffing for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionDec. 18, 2019

City offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s Day holiday. CityLink 311, the city’s citizen service call center, will be ...

Police Promotions Announced

NEWS RELEASEPolice DepartmentDec. 12, 2019

Police Chief Catrina Thompson announced today the promotion of 20 police officers and four non-sworn employees, including the promotion of Lieutenant Brian W. Dobey to captain.

Dobey has served 25 years in the Poli...

Local Governance Study Commission Briefed by Former Mayors, Plans Public Input Sessions

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorDec. 5, 2019

During their meeting Dec. 4 the members of Winston-Salem Local Governance Study Commission were briefed by the former mayors of Durham and Greensboro on how their councils were elected and their experiences with ...

Mayor Joines Hosting Tenth Annual City Hall Holiday Music Series

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorDec. 4, 2019

Mayor Allen Joines is inviting city residents and downtown workers to City Hall to hear traditional and contemporary holiday music during the tenth annual City Hall Holiday Music Series, to be held Dec. 9-13. All...

Prepare Now for Winter Weather

NEWS RELEASEEmergency ManagementDec. 2, 2019

State and local officials are encouraging North Carolinians to plan and prepare now for winter storms, during Winter Weather Preparedness Week, Dec. 1 - 7.

August Vernon, the director of Winston-Salem/Forsyth Cou...

Information Session on Upcoming City Capital Projects

NEWS RELEASEBusiness Inclusion & AdvancementNov. 27, 2019

The city’s M/WBE Division and the Access Center for Equity & Success are holding an information session and networking opportunity Thursday, Dec. 12, to brief minority- and women-o...

Outstanding Women Leaders Committee Accepting Scholarship Applications

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsNov. 21, 2019

The Outstanding Women Leaders Program Committee is accepting applications for its 2020 Future Outstanding Women Leaders Scholarship, to be awarded next spring. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 31....

Collection Changes, CityLink Staffing for Thanksgiving Holiday

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionNov. 20, 2019

City offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. CityLink 311, the city’s citizen service call center, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day but will be open ...

Shop for Unique Gifts at the Handcrafted Holiday Showcase this Saturday

NEWS RELEASEFairgroundsNov. 19, 2019

More than 30 crafters will be offering hand-made, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts on Saturday, Nov. 23, during the Handcrafted Holiday Showcase, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market.

Participating crafters w...

Winston-Salem Again Ranked as a Top 10 Digital City

NEWS RELEASEInformation SystemsNov. 15, 2019

For the 18th year in a row Winston-Salem has been ranked as one of the top 10 most technology-savvy cities of its size in America by the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute....

Historic Marker for Local AKA Sorority Chapter to be Unveiled

NEWS RELEASEHistoric Resources CommissionNov. 13, 2019

A local historic marker commemorating the Phi Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will be unveiled at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, on the south side of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between...

New Initiative Ensures Low-Income High School Graduates Can Attend College

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorNov. 13, 2019

Under a new initiative intended to alter the cycle of poverty, students in low-income households who graduate from any high school in Forsyth County will be able to attend Forsyth Technical Community College fre...

Local Governance Study Commission Briefed on Other City Councils

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorNov. 6, 2019

During their November meeting yesterday the members of Winston-Salem Local Governance Study Commission were briefed on how several other cities and towns in North Carolina elect their city officials.

Jim Westmorel...

First Responders Holding Training Drill at Airport on Saturday

NEWS RELEASEEmergency ManagementNov. 6, 2019

More than 250 first responders representing 20 agencies will be participating in a large-scale training exercise on Saturday morning, Nov. 9, at Smith Reynolds Airport and three other locations. Residents may se...

Collection Changes for Veterans Day Holiday

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionNov. 6, 2019

City offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, for the Veterans Day holiday. CityLink 311, the city’s citizen service call center, will not be staffed but non-911 emergency calls will be forwarded to on-c...

Symposium on Gentrification and Related Issues Scheduled for Nov. 6

NEWS RELEASEHuman RelationsOct. 29, 2019

The Human Relations Department and the New Horizons Fair Housing Committee of the Human Relations Commission are holding a free day-long symposium Wednesday, Nov. 6, on gentrification and the issues it raises for ne...

Leaf Collection Begins Nov. 4

NEWS RELEASESanitation DivisionOct. 29, 2019

City crews will start collecting leaves on Monday, Nov. 4, in the eastern quadrant of the city (quadrant 1), which is the area roughly east of U.S. 52 and New Walkertown Road.

Collection will proceed clockwise by...

Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for Emmanuel Retirement Village

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsOct. 23, 2019

City residents are invited to join Mayor Allen Joines and members of the City Council at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Emmanuel Retirement Village at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at 1605 Village Meadow Circ...

Winston-Salem Posts Healthy Job Growth

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorOct. 17, 2019

Non-farm employment in the Winston-Salem metropolitan area grew by more than 3.9 percent from August 2017 to August 2019, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, rising to ...

Linda Jackson Barnes Appointed to N.C. Human Relations Commission

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorOct. 16, 2019

Linda Jackson Barnes, the director of Mayor Allen Joines’ office, has been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to a four-year term on the N.C. Human Relations Commission. Barnes was sworn in Sept. 26.&nbs...

Electric Scooters Returning to Winston-Salem

News Release • Transportation Department • Oct. 9, 2019

Electric scooters are scheduled to reappear in Winston-Salem on Friday, Oct. 11, when Zagster, in partnership with Spin, will put out 100 Spin scooters for public use. A second compa...

Local Governance Study Commission Briefed on Districting Standards

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorOct. 2, 2019

During their October meeting yesterday the members of Winston-Salem Local Governance Study Commission were briefed on constitutional and legal standards for re-drawing council ward lines and for adding at-large s...

Applications Available for City of Winston-Salem University

NEWS RELEASEMarketing & CommunicationsOct. 2, 2019

The city is accepting applications for the next class of City of Winston-Salem University, to be held for 12 weeks starting Jan. 30, 2020. This free program gives citizens a better understanding of cit...

Winston-Salem M/WBE Mixer

See the events below.

Winston-Salem Police Department has joined Neighbors

We are excited to announce that the Winston-Salem Police Department has joined Neighbors!  While this app will not be monitored by law enforcement 24/7, WSPD can see crime and safety related information posted on the Neighbors app.  So t...

WSPD Temporarily Suspends Fallen Officer Ceremonies

Due to ongoing construction and renovation at the Vivian H. Burke Public Safety Center (Winston-Salem Police Headquarters), specifically in the area of the Fallen Officer Memorial Wall, the Winston-Salem Police Department is temporarily suspending its Fal...

Construction At Vivian H. Burke Public Safety Center

Beginning on Monday, September 9, 2019, the main front (public) entrance to the Vivian H. Burke Public Safety Center located at 725 N. Cherry Street will be closed due to renovations. Operations within the building will remain open during this time. Upon ...

Applicants Sought for Community Appearance Commission

NEWS RELEASECity SecretarySept. 3, 2019

Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian H. Burke is accepting applications from citizens interested in filling a vacancy on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Community Appearance Commission.

The vacancy must be filled by a person who...

Fire Department Receives $10,000 Grant for Rescue Equipment

NEWS RELEASEFire Department Sept. 3, 2019

The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded the Winston-Salem Fire Department a $10,000 grant that the department will use to purchase equipment for its swift water rescue team.

Capt. Chris Belcher said the department wi...

Truliant Steps Up to Support Think Orange Corporate Investment Fund

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorAugust 22, 2019

Truliant Federal Credit Union is the first entity to make a substantial multi-year pledge to support the city’s Think Orange campaign to combat hunger in Winston-Salem. Truliant’s $25,000 p...

Police Promotions Announced

NEWS RELEASEPolice DepartmentAug. 15, 2019

Police Chief Catrina Thompson announced today the promotion of eight police officers and one non-sworn employee, including the promotion of Captain William H. Penn to assistant chief.

Penn has served 21 years in th...

"Watch for Me" Campaign Commencing with Education, Then Enforcement

NEWS RELEASETransportation DepartmentAugust 14, 2019 

Winston-Salem’s "Watch for Me" campaign to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety will officially begin Wednesday, Aug. 14, with a public-awareness campaign. Stepped-up enfor...

Council Member Denise D. Adams Statement on Shooting Death of Julius Randolph Sampson

NEWS RELEASECity CouncilAug. 9, 2019

City Council Member Denise D. Adams today released the following statement about the shooting death of Julius R. Sampson Jr. on Aug. 6:

"This week we lost a beloved and valuable member of our community. Julius "...

Mayor Joines Statement on Hanes Mall Shooting

NEWS RELEASEOffice of the MayorAug. 7, 2019

Mayor Allen Joines today released the following statement about the shooting outside Hanes Mall on Aug. 6:

"On behalf of our entire city, I offer sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Julius Randolph Samps...

Funeral Arrangements for Bill Stuart Announced

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsAug. 6, 2019

Funeral Arrangements for Bill Stuart Announced; Memorial Book Available for Citizens to Express Their Condolences

The funeral for retired City Manager Bill Stuart will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10...

Bill Stuart Dies; Winston-Salem’s Longest-Serving City Manager

NEWS RELEASECity Manager’s OfficeAug. 3, 2019

Bryce A. "Bill" Stuart, who guided Winston-Salem city government for 26 years as its longest-serving city manager, died this morning of complications from pneumonia. He was 79. 

Stua...

Bond Projects

Check the progress of bond projects voters approved in 2014 and 2018.

Citizen Fingerprinting Location Moving September 1

The services for Citizen Fingerprinting will be moved from the Public Safety Center on 725 N. Cherry St. to the Alexander R. Beaty Public Safety Training and Support Center located at 1200 N. Patterson Ave. effective September 1, 2019.

Hours will remain th...

WSFC Utilities Strategic Plan

On July 8, 2019, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utility Commission approved a Strategic Plan covering 2020-2024 for our utilities department. Check out our online version to see our new vision, mission and values statements, plus our goals and the strat...

Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant - 2017 Award

The Central Region of the N.C. Professional Wastewater Operators Committee selected the Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant in Winston Salem for its 2017 Operations & Maintenance Excellence Award.

The award is given annually to a wastewater treat...

Police Promotions Announced

NEWS RELEASEPolice DepartmentJan. 19, 2019

Police Chief Catrina Thompson announced today the promotions of 10 police officers and four non-sworn personnel:

To Sergeant:  Corporal Barry Martin.

To Corporal: Officers Samuel Diamont, James Gordon, Fleu...

Body Cam Video of Baldwin Arrest Posted On WSPD Website

NEWS RELEASEMarketing and CommunicationsNov. 9, 2018

The body-camera video that shows the arrest of Rockael Baldwin on Oct. 5 at Hanes Magnet Middle School has been posted on the Police Department’s website. Superior Court Judge Anderson Cromer s...